My A to Z of Books

Inspired by posts from fellow bloggers I have decided to take part with the A to Z of Books! Here are my choices…

Author you’ve read the most books from…

I had lots of Jacqueline Wilson books growing up, so I must have read around 15-20 of her books.

Best sequel ever…

Not strictly a sequel but more of a companion novel, I really enjoyed The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey by Rachel Joyce. The companion story to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry it is a moving story told from Queenie’s perspective.

Currently reading…

I am currently enjoying Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel. It’s a science fiction novel and the first in the Themis Files series.

Drink of choice whilst reading…

If I am at work it will be water or juice but at home I like to have a cup of tea!

E-Reader or physical book…

It is definitely physical book for me; nothing can beat the smell and feel of a real book. Whilst I can see their appeal I have not yet succumbed to buying an e-reader.

Fictional character you probably would have actually dated in high school…

For me it would be one of two characters from the Harry Potter books (I can’t choose!) I adore Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom!

Hidden gem book…

I think it has had some recognition but it’s a book I loved that wasn’t as prominent across social media. Spill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara Baume is a wonderful book telling the story of one man and his dog, a portrait of loneliness and the power of companionship.

Important moment in your reading life…

This would have to be setting up my own blog. I decided to do it as I loved books and wanted to tell someone, somewhere, what I thought of them. I really enjoy blogging and have been fortunate to have the opportunity to read lots more books along the way. I have also been so thrilled with the lovely response I have had from fellow bloggers and book lovers, authors and publishers!

Just finished…

My last book was The Vinyl Detective: Written in Dead Wax by Andrew Cartmel. This was a unique, fun mystery story combining music and murder! It is the first in the Vinyl Detective series so will be looking out for the next instalment.

Kind of books you won’t read…

The only genres I don’t really read are horror and romance.

Longest book you’ve ever read…

The longest I’ve read was The Wise Men’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss which is part of the fantasy series The Kingkiller Chronicles. I think it was just about 1,000 pages long!

Major book hangover…

This would have to be A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. It was such an emotional rollercoaster of a book and it is one that stayed with me long after I finished it.

Number of bookcases you own…

Not enough! I am in desperate need of more shelving space. At the moment I have one non-fiction bookcase, two further shelves of non-fiction, one larger fiction bookcase and two boxes containing fiction. I also have another box in my hall with a pile of books on the top (Overspill book pile 1!) and two piles of books in my lounge (Overspill book pile 2!)

One book you’ve read multiple times…

I don’t tend to re-read books nowadays but I did when I was younger. I definitely recall reading Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone more than once – I just loved that first journey into a magical world.

Preferred place to read…

I read at my desk at work on my lunch but at home I either like to read on my sofa or in bed.

Quote that inspired you from a book you’ve read…

‘..the only trick of friendship, I think, is to find people who are better than you are – not smarter, not cooler, but kinder, and more generous, and more forgiving – and then to appreciate them for what they can teach you, and to try to listen to them when they tell you something about yourself, no matter how bad – or good – it might be, and to trust them, which is the hardest thing of all’       – A Little Life

Reading regret…

Once I start a book I like to see it through to the end but I wish I could teach myself to move on if it’s not really my thing!

Series you started and need to finish…

I still need to read the final book in Jeff Vandermeer’s Southern Reach trilogy

Three of your all time favourite books…

This is a tricky one! I have so many books that I have loved including Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier and Burial Rites by Hannah Kent.

Unapologetic fangirl for…

It would have to be the Harry Potter series! I am a self-confessed Harry Potter nerd and in addition to the books I have a growing collection of memorabilia…

Very excited for this release more than all others…

I am looking forward to the publication of Eowyn Ivey’s next novel, To the Bright Edge of the World. I loved her debut novel The Snow Child so excited to read her next one!

Worst bookish habit…

I always buy more books when I have so many on my TBR.

X marks the spot- start on the top left of your bookshelf and pick the 27th book…

Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson

Your latest purchase…

I recently purchased The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent which is for my book club. I also got The Anchoress by Robyn Cadwallader because I loved the cover.

Zzzzz snatcher book (the book that kept you up to late)…

I end up staying up too late with most books but a recent book that had me hooked was The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon.

That concludes my A to Z of books. Thanks for reading!